2.1.5 Beliefs in society: Religion in a global context Flashcards
Religious Fundamentalism
What are the six characteristics of fundamentalism?
- An authoritative sacred text
- An ‘us and them’ mentality
- Aggressive reactions to threat
- Use of modern technology
- Patriarchy
- Conspiracy theories
Religious Fundamentalism
What does Giddens argue causes fundamentalism and what does he contrast this with?
- Argues that fundamentalism is a reaction to modernity which undermines traditional norms e.g gender and sexuality.
- He contrasts it with cosmopolitanism - a way of thinking that embraces modernity, is tolerant, open and sees lifestyle as a personal choice.
Religious Fundamentalism
What are the three main criticisms of Giddens?
- He is ‘fixated on fundamentalism’, ignoring other ways that modernity affects religion.
- He lumps all kinds of fundamentalism together, ignoring differences.
- He claims fundamentalism is against modernity, but ‘reinventing tradition’, as fundamentalists do, is creating modernity.
Religious Fundamentalism
What does Bruce believe causes fundamentalism but what limits does he put on it?
- Believes the main cause of fundamentalism is the perception by religious traditionalists that globalisation threatens their beliefs and lifestyles, leading them to develop strict rules about behaviour.
- Only monostheistic religions can produce fundamentalism as they are based on a single deity which has produced a sacred text.
Religious Fundamentalism
What are the two different origins of fundamentalism that Bruce identifies?
- In the west, fundamentalism is usually a reaction to change within society. e.g trends towards diversity and choice.
- In the third world, fundamentalism is usually a reaction to changes being thrust on society from outside. e.g western values being imposed by foreign capitalism.
Religious Fundamentalism
What’s Bruce’s example of fundamentalism in the west?
The New Christian Right in America which developed in opposition to family diversity, sexual ‘permissiveness’, gender equality, and secular education.
Religious Fundamentalism
What is Davie’s first phase of modernity which results in secular fundamentalism?
- The ‘enlightenment project’ which held an optimistic belief in the certainty of progress based on science and human reason.
- Helped to secularise all areas of human life, undermining religious certainties.
- Relgious fundamentalism was one reaction to this secularisation process.
Religious Fundamentalism
What is Davie’s second phase of modernity which results in secular fundamentalism
- Since the 1970s, there has been a growing mood of pessimism and uncertainty caused by changes such as globalisation.
- As the same time, postmodernism emerged arguing that marxism (secular enlightenment theories) held unfounded beliefs.
- Therefore, secular ideologies have come under attack and in reaction, some people have been attracted to anti-religious fundamentalism.
Religious Fundamentalism
What does Ansell argue about trends towards anti-religious fundamentalism?
Sees these trends as a form of cultural racism that uses seemingly liberal language of equality but in reality is legitimising the exclusion of religious or cultural minorities.
e.g France making it illegal to wear the veil in public
Religious Fundamentalism
Why does Davie belive that both religious and secular movements can become fundamentalist?
Due to the greater uncertainties of the postmodern world, where reasserting truth and certainty is increasingly attractive.
The ‘clash of civilisations’
What are the seven civilisations that Huntington identifies?
Why Live In Cold Houses, Just Sleep Over
- Western
- Latin American
- Islamic
- Confucan (china)
- Hindu
- Japenese
- Slave-Orthodox
The ‘clash of civilisations’
What is Huntington’s theory of the ‘clash of civilisations’?
- He identifies seven civilisations, each identified with a major religion.
- Globalisation makes nations less important and so religious differences create a large source of identity.
- Increased interconnectedness increases the likelihood of conflict.
- Explaining why religion is often at the centre of many conflicts.
The ‘clash of civilisations’
How does Jackson criticise Huntington?
Sees his ‘clash of civilisations’ theory as an example of orientalism - a western ideology that views Eastern nations and people (especially Muslims) as untrustworthy and inferior.
The ‘clash of civilisations’
What does the World Values Survey data indicate is the ‘real clash of civilisations’?
- sexuality.
- Differences in attitudes towards divorce, abortion, gender equality, and gay rights.
The ‘clash of civilisations’
What do Inglehart and Norris argue about self expression values?
- There is no global agreement on values such as gender equality and freedom of speech which creates the real clash of civilisations.
